4/08/08 From
RCA Marketing *** In addition to the Amazon
(physical) preorder, there will
be an exclusive digital
preorder on ITunes
which will begin onApril
21.
This digital version of the
album (which will include the standard album and a digital version of the
booklet) will include an additional bonus preorder only track.
That song will only be available
when the album is purchased during the pre-order period.
2/28/08 Backstage
with Clay at SPAMALOT Click
on the tiny pictures of
Clay on right side of window
to watch videos Webmaster
note: Look
at this picture- not the
one on the above link
2/15/08 NOW THRU MAY
4, 2008!! EXCLUSIVE
DISCOUNT OFFER
FOR CLAY FANS: $70.00
Tickets (Reg. $111.50) for
select Orchestra seats $45.00
Tickets (Reg. $89.00) for
Balcony seats. VISIT
BroadwayOffers.com and
use code SP4CLAY to
order online. OR CALL
Telecharge.com (212)
947-8844 and mention the
code SP4CLAY
1/20/08 Diane
Sawyer Spotted at Sunday
Matinee of Spamalot Sources
say she was with her
husband, Spamalot director Mike Nichols. It is
reported that they sat in the
last row and seemed to
really enjoy the show.
1/03/08 Clay
Blogs- He
seems to be missing being
able to sleep in as rehearsals
for SPAMALOT begin
today. This
is a one-line- must read! OFC
members may go here
to login and read it.
Below
in English: (Roughly translated) Clay Aiken, the runner-up
of the program American Idol, but favorite from the public in reality show,
arrived as ambassador of the U.S. for Fund UNICEF. Paó Christmas
to Mexican earth accompanied by his mother and his younger brother, with
the only objective to sensitize its compatriots so that they donate resources
to rehabilitate the schools damaged by the flood of the Grijalva River.
On Christmas Day, The Today
Show on NBC will air an
exclusive performance by Todd Eldredge who will skate to Clay's "All Is
Well" z
from the Holiday Celebration
on Ice Show. Tune in at around z
8:38am EST Christmas morning
to catch this special performance!
Check your local listings
for
channels and show times.
12/07/07 Radio Interview from Friday, Nov. 7th Right-click
and save target- HERE 12/07/07 Real
Winners 12/07/07 Christmas
Clay Click
to enlarge (Better photo than the one for the article) 12/07/07 Aiken's
Christmas tour arrives
Saturday 12/06/07 Aiken
spreads some holiday
cheer REVIEW 12/06/07 The
buzz is that Clay will be interviewed on 94.7 WMAS Springfield, MA Fri,
Dec. 7 between
5:30am and 10am The
station streams live over
the Internet First
time users must register 12/06/07 Dork
chic First
published in the Houston Chronicle in July.. 12/06/07 Clay
Aiken prepares 4th
Yule show 12/06/07 This
is the Night Scan
courtesy of alisonangus
12 /06/07 "Christmas
in the Heartland" Tour Story Book 12/05/07 Aiken
delivers holiday greetings A
message from Clay about cameras
at his concerts During a meet & greet on Dec. 4th he said that in addition to
not using flash, he's asking that we cover the red or blue flashing camera
light with tape. He says that little light is VERY distracting to everyone on stage.
Please let everyone know of
Clay's request and he specifically asked that this information be passed on to anyone attending his concerts.
12/04/07 Clay Blogs to
remind people that the
EP 'All is Well' Is now
available as an ITunes
Download. He
encourages gifting it to
others and comments that
it is a bit cheaper from iTunes thanit was in stores
last year. As
usual, his blog includes some
funny comments. Fan
Club members may login
here to read the
blog.
11/30/07 HAPPY
BIRTHDAY CLAY! American
Idol site From public page of OFC: 11/30/07 : Update on
the "Christmas in the Heartland" Tour By Team Clay
The "Christmas in the
Heartland" tour so far has been tons of fun and a tremendous success! Thank
you to all the fans who attended and to those of you that will be coming
to future shows. The hats and scarves are selling so well that we will
have to order more to keep up with the demand! And since these cozy items
are such great sellers, stay tuned to the news for updates on new sets
that will be exclusively available in the Clay Aiken Official Store.
11/24/07 Clay
has his day in concert and
Broadway 11/23/07 Pop
Goes Christmas Scroll
down From a Meet & Greetfor
nice photo-
scroll a bit more
for blurb 11/23/07 At
the Finish Line of Life, Sometimes
Second Is Best Good
article.. nice Clay
mention 11/23/07 Aiken
finds it's hip to
be square An
abridged version of last summer's Houston Chronicle
article 11/22/07 Clay Blogs He
asks that those who submitted stories for the first 5 shows check their
e-mail as often as possible for the next few days as the ones selected
need to be contacted ASAP. He has a houseful of guests, but will
be working on the stories throughout the day.
Those
whose stories
are
selected will need to wear all black and be at the venue in the afternoon
of the show for which
their
story is selected.
He
is overwhelmed by this task,
but
says his fans are one of the things he is most grateful for this
and
every Thanksgiving.
OFC
members may login
HERE
to read his actual blog.
5/05/08 Angela Henderson from
Huntington Herald-Dispatch's Idol Chit-Chat blog wrote: "Normally, I listen to
a CD at least twice before I post a review of it, but I am so excited about
this one I couldn’t wait.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen,
Clay Aiken is back and better than ever…
For any of you out there
who were thinking we’d get the same old same old from Clay on his new CD,
“On My Way Here,” I am happy to tell you that you are VERY wrong. Clay’s
got a whole bunch of new tricks on this one including rocking basslines,
vocoders and risqué lyrics—or at least as risqué as Clay
gets."
Ali's
Blog Clay Aiken - On My Way
Here [Retail] "I know I'm a little
late on this but I'll be honest and say I'm not really a fan of Clay's
music. But I wanted to give the album a listen regardless of what I thought.
Clay no doubt about it has one hell of a voice, and he knows what style
of music works for him. Despite now being part of the cast of Broadway
play "Monty Python's Spamalot" he did find time to record his(this) fourth
studio album. Weather it be a uptempo pop song or a nice pop ballad it's
clear to see the main focus is Clay's impressive vocal range. It's not
really my cup of tea but I can see why Clay
has been able to maintain a fan base. So deff check it out, and BUY YOUR
COPY MAY 6TH!!"
5/02/08 Billboard Aslbum Review:
On My Way Here CLAY AIKEN Producer(s): Kipper,
Jaymes Foster Genre: AC Label: RCA
In the Broadway show that
is Clay Aiken's public life, he is, of course,
the leading man. His fourth full-length progresses just like the Original
Cast Recording, with character development songs early ("On My Way Here"),
beatific love songs in the middle ("Something About Us") and a dénouement
of regret and lessons learned ("Lover All Alone"). Aiken, who debuted on
the Great White Way this year in "Spamalot," sings like a theater veteran:
almost too perfect, with a self-aware showmanship. But that doesn't make
pop-rock nuggets like "Ashes" any less catchy, or the ballads—on which
Aiken's breathy tenor could break housewife hearts—ring any less true.
With big American melodies, stock AC production and general inoffensiveness
throughout, this should satisfy his army of self-dubbed Claymates. —Kerri
Mason
4/30/08 BLOG "As a shameless eating
enthusiast, when I had chance to visit the Food Network and meet culinary
icon Paula Deen (whose shows I watch obsessively, because they're like
pornography for your stomach) on the set of Paula's Party, I prepared for
my visit by embarking upon a strict fast - much like the ones I employ
before Thanksgiving, Christmas and other particularly gluttonous holidays
- to ensure that my belly would be completely empty upon arrival, and thus
prepared for maximum stuffage. What I didn't know about the magic and trickery
of television is that there isn't actually a whole lot of food sitting
around behind the scenes of these shows, as it's all being cooked and eaten
onstage by the less-starving likes of Clay Aiken
(what a not weird guy he was), Dionne Warwick and Ace of Cakes baker
Duff Goldman. Luckily, Paula stepped in an saved me from losing a little
weight."
4/28/08 AOL
HOT SEARCHES "Yet again AOL Clay
Aiken still manages to make the top ten listings for the billion’th
month on the run.
The AOL Hot Search Terms
are based on AOL user searches.
1) Wesley Snipes - Gets
a three-year jail tersentance 2) Cameron Diaz - Her
Publicist denies hospitalisation rumors 3) QVC - Clay
Aiken will appear on 4/28 with his new album 4) Kenneth Keith Kallenbach
- Comedian dies in jail? 5) NASCAR - Racing at
Talladega this weekend 6) Jonas Brothers - Find
out which brother has a crush on Emma Watson 7) Amy Winehouse - Facing
police questions for slap claims 8) ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ -
The news from the popular show 9) Jenna Bush - Who wil
she vote for? 10) Horoscopes - Whats
in the stars?"
4/26/08 Message board post by
Clayperfect: "I met Jodie Messina
this afternoon. at the restaurant I work at.. tour bus pulled up.. and
it was her.. come to find out she tours with Steven Curtis Chapman.. and
is a HUGE fan of Clay's.. what a day..we were
both as fan girly as they come. She is a gospel country western singer
out of Nashville.. I am affraid to post everything we discussed.. but can
tell you her and her crew adore Clay Aiken..
said the first time she met him a few years ago by way of Steven.. her
heart almost jumped out or her chest..asked me if I had ever met him..
replied yes.. and my heart is still not back in my chest.. the crews exploded
in laughter.
"You never know what life
will bring you..I learned today that there are more Clay
fan's
out there than just us..she gave me a big hug at the regrister.. and said
keep the faith God knows his chosen ones.. an soon the world will too..she
made me cry."
4/24/08 On 30 Rock: "One they
cast Clay Aiken in Spamalot I knew it was
only a matter of time before you turned up here."
The guys response was
something like "yeah, I'll be there every night until they replace him."
4/24/08 Irish
eyes looking back now on `Idol' In a look back at "Idol"
runners-up of the past, Raleigh's Clay Aiken
reported from New York about his experiences in the Broadway version of
"Spamalot."
"It's given me a chance
to learn a little about acting, and try to learn a little about dancing,"
said Aiken, his hair now cut in a blonde long
page-boy style for the role. "It's so different than anything I've done
before."
Aiken
also got a plug in for his new album, "On My Way Here," due out May 6.
4/24/08 "Which
Idol veterans can you catch on The Great White Way? Diana DeGarmo!
Tamyra Gray! Fantasia! It's typical that Tamyra's current run in Rent is
acknowledged, while Frenchie Davis, a long-time Rent staple, is ignored.
Clay
Aiken has an album coming out soon, so he's decided temporarily
to remember his Idol roots and take viewers on a backstage tour of Spamalot.
How do we feel about Clay referring to himself in first-person plural?"
4/20/08 From
losers to winners "Season Two winner Ruben
Studdard continues to perform, but he’s been roundly upstaged by “loser”
Clay
Aiken, who now rates a heftier talent fee than Studdard. “Blame”
that on the fact that Aiken looks better, so he has the female teen demographic
going for him." 4/19/08 Emo
for K-Feds (a.k.a Punk Goes Crunk) Review "There are so many things
wrong with this CD that I really don't know where to begin. Let's begin
with the misleading title. I searched high and low through the album credits
and could not find a real punk band, and then only found one semi crunk
song. Clay Aiken is more punk then any of
these groups (and at least he can sing and doesn't pretend to be something
he isn't). "
4/18/08 The
Top Seven Perform Songs By Mariah Carey On
American Idol "David Archuleta ~ WHEN
YOU BELIEVE ~ I had a Clay Aiken moment during
David’s performance. What does that mean? Well, Clay
Aiken makes me cry when he sings. Both of these young men possess
the voice of an angel which is probably why my soul is deeply touched when
I hear either of them."
4/14/08 Not
Days But Knights "so, i FINALLY saw Spamalot
last night! i was bored so i spent all afternoon and evening downtown bumming
around. i wanted to go see Austin Pendleton's play, but they were sold
out when i got there. so...i opted to check out some b'way theatres. since
i've wanted to see Spamalot for so long now, and i'm leaving, and i'm scared
they're going to close before i have a chance to see it...i went there
first, and sure enough, they had $20 standing room tickets! yesss!!! standing
room is actually a great deal, you have a fantastic view. the only downside
is that you have to stand. but who cares? i stand for 5-6 hours at work,
standing for a 2 hour Broadway show is EASY! so...i was a little disappointed...some
of the music was different than the soundtrack (which i was obsessed with
a couple years ago), and i thought the choreography was atrocious. in my
head, the show (as far as chorus numbers go) was much funnier and GRANDER.
oh, and the Lady of the Lake (an understudy) was terrible. i could have
sang the role better, and i mean that. so could most of my friends. BUT....i
still enjoyed the show immensely and just about peed myself laughing during
the Herbert/Lancealot scene. AND...CLAY AIKEN WAS
INCREDIBLE!!! i'm serious...i mean, obviously his voice is just
out-of-this-world...but he was HILARIOUS. sometimes, it seemed he was the
only one who cared...the only one who was enjoying himself. he was the
best person on that stage and he made it ALL worth it if anything!!! i
was so happy to see that he truly is talented...and beyond what i expected!!"
Even
with that many votes, a few thousand errant dialings could affect the results.
In the 2003 finale 130,000 votes separated the winner, Ruben Studdard,
from the runner-up, Clay Aiken. Days later a Midwest phone company said
it had received 240,000 misdialed calls during voting."
Ah…the slow version that
a certain Mr. Clay Aiken first sang on his cover
CD A Thousand Different Ways…but he didn’t get the credit, now did
he? I didn’t think so. No matter. She killed it and definitely in a good
way!!! She has a beautifully powerful voice and a riveting stage presence
but I will admit with the Brit that whoever is dressing her does NOT have
her best interests at heart - however I would have found a more tactful
way of stating that in front of America. She should be safe but she’s seen
the bottom before."
3/28/08 The
Scoop "On May 6, American Idol
finalist Clay Aiken will issue On My Way Here,
his first album of original studio material since 2003's Measure of a Man.
According to Billboard, details about the album are scarce other than it
was produced by Kipper (Sting, Chris Botti) and that the songs "Ashes"
and "On My Way Here" are expected to appear on the new set.
Aiken is expected to be hitting the road beginning in July, including
appearances on The View, Good Morning America, and other programs on the
morning-show circuit."
3/28/08 REALITY
CHECK: 'Idol' singers are wonderful; judges, not so much By Jamie Jung Journal staff "I am a HUGE fan of "American
Idol." But it was not love at first sight. I was working nights when season
one of the show debuted in 2002 and I think I only caught one or two of
the final episodes. I guess it wasn't an instant hit for me, because I
also didn't watch most of season two -- until the end -- and that's when
I fell in love with Clay Aiken.
Yes, and my co-workers
can attest to this, I am a Claymate. Not the crazy kind of Claymate who
signs up on his Web site, but the kind that has purchased all of his albums
-- the Christmas one twice -- and the kind that travels to other states
to see him perform. I saw him with Kelly Clarkson in St. Paul, Minn., in
2004 with my sister, who's an even bigger Claymate than myself, and then
again later that year at the Minnesota State Fair with my two sisters and
my mom.
So, I'm pretty sure I've
earned at least minor Claymate status."
3/27/08 American
Idol: And Then There Were Nine "After a brief interlude
with the Ford music video, Ryan immediately started up again and brought
a nervous David Archuleta out to see his adoring public. I would have been
blindsided if somehow this kid landed in the Bottom Three. Just listen
to that crowd; he already has a devoted fan base. And since Clay
Aiken has the Claymates, it’s only fitting that David’s fans have
a proper name. I say we call them the Archulunatics. I like it. Somebody
print up some signs. Sorry, I got a little off track there. "
3/26/08 Bicentennial
Moment "Greensboro,
NC -- In 1958, Greensboro city leaders invited veterans of all races
to meet for the groundbreaking of what would become the Greensboro Coliseum.
Construction took more
than a year. The coliseum and the War Memorial Auditorium opened with a
ceremonial concert. The first big event was the "Holiday on Ice" show October
29th, 1959.
The coliseum's hosted
big names from Elvis Presley to Clay Aiken
over the years."
3/24/08 Spring
Music Preview May 6 "Clay
Aiken - title to be announced: He's on Broadway in "Spamalot." But
he's also back with his fourth official CD. T-Bone Burnett "The Tooth
of Crime": A score written for the classic play by Sam Shepard. Toni Childs "Keep the
Faith": Remember the deep voice of Toni Childs? For five minutes there
she looked like the new Phoebe Snow. Now she has returned with her first
effort in 14 long years. Peter Cincotti "East
of Angel Town": Can this one make him as big as Josh Groban? Or at least
as Michael Bublé? Stay tuned. 3 Doors Down "3 Doors
Down": One of the blandest, and most annoyingly successful bands in the
land follows up their last snoozeable hit."
3/24/08 Message
board post by "Claypigeon": "English family sitting
next to me. [At Spamalot] Never heard of anybody
connected with the show (including Mike Nichols!) but they wanted to see
a Broadway show and remembered Monty Python. At the intermission, they
were asking me if Robin was the one who was leaving. I said no, that's
[Robin is] the American singer Clay Aiken.
She said "He's a terrific comic actor -- I can't picture him singing!"
She asked if she could find anything about him if she Googled him. Ya think?
They (and the teenage son & daughter) were smitten. It's amazing how
different the reactions are when there are no pre-conceived notions. Husband
said somebody who was that good a comedian would have a show on the air
in Britain.............. He couldn't picture him singing either, but said
if he can actually sing he should have a variety show."
Chicago
Tribune David Archuleta "This baby-faced, 17-year-old
singer is cuter than a basket of puppies — puppies made of rainbows! Whether
or not he wins, he could be the next Clay Aiken —
a talented belter with a rabid fan base. But as the judges have
said, he needs to take a few risks and venture outside his sweet-and-safe
comfort zone. How about trying something just a little more rock ’n’ roll?
"
3/22/08 Clay
Aiken made an impressive sale with his debut album, the 2003 "Measure
of a Man" that sold 613,000 copies in the first week. The American Idol
graduate reveals that he will release the follow up later this year, entitled
"On My Way Here".
The second [actually,
the fourth] album will be released on May 6 via 19Recordings/RCA, boasting
a production from Kipper who also helmed some of Sting and Chris Botti's
albums. As revealed by Billboard.com, there is huge possibility that the
album will include the title track and another one called "Ashes"."
3/20/08 treehousemusicgroup "CONGRATS TO HUNTER,
CHRIS, & RYAN TEDDER (OF ONEREPUBLIC) FOR THEIR RECENT CUT "ON
MY WAY HERE" RECORDED BY CLAY AIKEN ON HIS NEW CD TO BE RELEASED IN MAY
2008!"
"And now for something completely
different. Spamalot cast members Clay Aiken, Hannah Waddingham, and Jonathan
Hadary celebrated the third anniversary of the smash Broadway musical by
donning 3-D Glasses at the Shubert Theatre."
3/18/08 "Laughed
a lot at Spamalot "I had forgotten how
much I enjoyed the completely silly humor of Monty Python and--trust me
when I say that I'm surprised to admit this--I totally enjoyed Clay
Aiken's performance! The guy was really GOOD! Actually, everybody
was really good. See it, see it, see it!!"
3/10/08 The Insider "Former finalists will
see there Idol dreams die tonight. No doubt it will be a difficult emotional
wrenching process and there are sure to be some tears shed but to those who are
about to say goodbye just remember the names Clay
Aiken, Katharine McPhee and Chris Daughtry. They didn't win either
and wouldn't you love to have their careers."
3/05/08 PRNewswire-Re
Lycos 50 "Meanwhile,Clay
Aiken (#2) and Angelina Jolie (#5) enjoy their highest rankings
to date on Lycos's top search list, as Aiken
continues to ride high on his current "Spamalot" role, and search activity
for pregnant Jolie rises 60 percent due in part to her new baby news, and
her recent speech calling on the US government to increase financial and
material aid to refugees in Iraq."
3/02/08 From
a Broadway Message Board "Saw Spamalot this evening.
The show is decent shape. Not the cleanest on Broadway but respectable.
I was however, completely
blown away by Clay Aiken. I went in expecting
to think 'He held his own with the cast'. He was hands down the most engaging
principal in the show tonight. He made bold choices (maybe was given them,
who knows?) and really went for the physical comedy as well as word play."
2/29/08 From
the blogs: "I
saw "Spamalot" last night. With Clay Aiken.
No, seriously.
The
show itself is pretty much what you'd expect. It's not the greatest piece
of theater I've ever seen. Plus, anyone who's seen the movie has already
heard a good 50 percent of the jokes. But it's a solidly written, solidly
scored, solidly staged musical comedy, and I had a good time with it.
I
have to say: Clay Aiken
exceeded expectations. I won't say that he was brilliant, but I will say
that he delivered an honestly good performance, and to play a lead role
on Broadway is no small feat. I wouldn't say I'm a fan, but I will say
that I respect him a little more now. He clearly put a good amount of effort
into this project: his accent is spot-on, his timing is impeccable, he
commits wholly to every character, and he held his own among a group of
seasoned professionals. Nicely done, Mr. Aiken."
"AMERICAN IDOL" THOUGHTS "I've been watching "American
Idol" for the past six years (I missed the first season), and during that
time there have been only a handful of performers who I thought truly stood
out: Clay Aiken (whose pure, clear, rangy
tenor was the highlight of the second season), Fantasia (one of the few
"Idol" contestants able to imbue her singing with raw emotion and dramatic
honesty), Jennifer Hudson (whose big voice was eventually put to wonderful
use in her Oscar-winning turn in the "Dreamgirls" film), and last season's
always-dependable Melinda Doolittle (who, with her lush alto, managed to
breathe new life into "My Funny Valentine," offering one of the finest
versions of the Rodgers and Hart standard I've yet to hear)".
2/25/08 Times
Record News on AI7 "O, Sanjaya, wherefore
art thou? I’m sure I’m not the
only one to notice that this season’s “American Idol” contestants are,
first of all, part of The Beautiful People tribe. They are camera-ready,
fashion savvy and irritatingly cute and in shape, meaning audiences won’t
get the sheer joy of seeing a diamond in the rough go from geek to chic.
No Clay
Aikens or Reuben Studdards or Taylor Hickses to speak of. <snip> The best part of “American
Idol” are all the auditions — and not the really good auditions, but the
really BAD auditions. I live for a really bad audition. I know. Call me
a bad person. What can I say? They’re entertaining.
And the other best part
is watching the unslick underdogs — the waitresses, the music store employees,
or the geeky singers — evolve into this American singing star.
2/21/08 "Dishing With Clay
Aiken" In PEOPLE MAGAZINE
The Idol singer, 29, is
starring on Broadway in Monty Python's Spamalot. He chatted with Scoop
about:
SPAMALOT: It's smart,
intelligent and almost highbrow humor. The punch lines don't slap you in
the face. But for someone who's not a dancer, it's kicking my rear end!
HIS NEW CD: We're hoping
[to release it May 6. In the past five years, I've learned a lot about
life. I would like to wrap a lot of the music around that theme.
A NEW IMAGE: Last time
I came out with dark crazy hair. We don't have any plans this time. But
I've got the red wig...
AMERICAN IDOL: It's something
I wouldn't be here without. But I haven't watched it in three years. I've
got other things to do!"
2/16/08 James
Beaman, who has been plaing the role of SPAMALOT'S Sir Robin in the
traveling cast writes in his blog today:
"This will be
a brief entry, friends, but I just wanted to take a moment to thank the
fans of Clay Aiken who seem to have suddenly
discovered my blog and have written very nice comments for me. I have published
your kind words and I feel very happy that you took the time to share with
me not only your enthusiasm for Clay but for "Spamalot." It is clear that
Clay's
fans are people who appreciate talent and who are inspired by kindness
and good spirit. I am sure by now Clay is
having a total blast playing Robin, as am I. Once you have done the show
enough, it gets into your muscles and you can let your spirit soar and
enjoy the connection with the audience. Then the real fun begins. Come
Sunday evening here in Nashville I will have given 71 performances of the
part. How time flies!"
2/13/08 American
"Idle": "Clay
Aiken (#3) sees his search interest nearly double this week, due
in part to his Broadway debut playing the Eric Idle role in Monty Python's
"Spamalot." Aiken has taken over the role of Sir Robin, originally
portrayed by David Hyde Pierce when the musical first debuted on Broadway
in 2005. The Lycos 50(TM)
Top 10 Search Terms for the Week Ending Feb. 9, 2008:
1) Poker
6) Paris Hilton 2) Golf
7) YouTube 3) Clay Aiken
8) Valentine 4) Britney Spears
9) Pam Anderson 5) MySpace
10) Fashion"
2/11/08 "From the blogs: "Monty Python's SPAMALOT
is a fantastic and hilarious show it has a combination of british humor,
broadway entertainment, and American pop culture that really makes the
grade. The acting is great, the singing is funny but talented and Clay
Aiken the special guest was surprisingly good. It is a definite
must see if going to Broadway."
2/09/08 No
backup plan was needed "I also would have participated
in more noble activities, like raiding my mother's refrigerator, er, visiting
my mother, or maybe I could have taken my 15-year-old daughter to the movies
(of course, these days I'm her last choice for a movie date). But she did
accompany me to the Super Bowl party and sat transfixed. She's a big football
fan and I doubt if she'd have gone to the movies with either her celebrity
heartthrob (Clay Aiken) or her idol (Miley
Cyrus). "
2/08/08 "And how is
Clay Aiken's Broadway debut going? He will go on as brave Sir Robin
eight times a week until May 4, and though his reviews have been surprisingly
good, his presence alone will not make or break "Spamalot." The Monty Python
musical has consistently played to full houses and will certainly persevere
for several years to come, with or without stunt casting. Aiken is one
example of stunt casting that was intended not to salvage a floundering
production but to boost already steady ticket sales."
2/07/08 From Pythonline. newsletter: "SPAMALOT – Clay
Aiken's first week in the cast of the Broadway production of Spamalot
has been nothing short of spectacular. If you can't make it to see Clay
on
Broadway, take your favourite snapshot of Mr. Aiken with you to Spamalot
in Melbourne or Las Vegas, and fantasize your heart out. Likewise for the
touring company which stops in Nashville, TN from 12-17 Feb at Andrew Jackson
Hall, and of course London, which will have a NEW Lady of the Lake with
her first performance at the Palace Theatre on Monday 11 February 2008."
2/06/08 Steven
Curtis Chapman talks about writing a song
for Clay Aiken "But those two were both
ones that were really hard to not have on the record. And then there's
this song - actually, it's just weird... I wrote a song - *laughs* I've
actually not even told anybody this yet, I don't think, because I don't
know how people will perceive it once I tell them. I got a call from Clay
Aiken wanting songs for his new record. Actually, it was his manager,
and they said "Clay would like to talk to
you, he loves your music and has always loved your writing..." And so we
got on the phone. I said, "If I were to write a song for you, what do you
want to talk about?" And he said, "Well, I've got a brother that just went
to Iraq and I wish I had a song to sing somehow about that. Just about
his family and all that." And I thought, I'd just been to Seoul, Korea,
getting to visit with a bunch of troops there, I've been to a hospital
to visit with Marines there who had just come back from Iraq, and I get
regular letters and emails from a helicopter pilot who's in Iraq. He sends
me pictures, he tells me how much my music's meaning to him and encouraging
him and I just thought, "If anybody ought to be saying 'thank you' to those
who really defend the freedom that we enjoy, the religious freedom particularly,
it ought to be Christians." So I wrote a song called "What I'm Fighting
For," about family - very non-political thing that just says, "I'm fighting
for my family and this is my job and I'm not a hero." It's all things guys
tell me that are there. "We're not heroes, we're just doing our job. And
we want to see this thing over as much as anybody - more than anybody,
probably." And I wrote that song for the idea that maybe it would be something
Claywould
use. I sent it to him, he and his manager loved the song and at the same
time Clive Davis said, "I want it to be a love song album of covers," and
this was the last record he did. "So, this song will not fit on that record."
So it was another one of those where I thought, "I wonder if I could actually
put this on my record?" So I tracked it, we recorded it, and I've sung
it a bunch of places and it's really a pretty powerful song, but it was
one of those where I thought, "I'm going to use that one as a bonus cut
cause I don't know if it belongs on a Steven Curtis Chapman record or not!"
So the plan is, in January, all of those are going to come out on a Deluxe
Edition record [of This Moment]. So they will all be available, it just
won't be until, I think, January or February they're going to re-release
a Special Edition or something."
"Yes, I know that because
of the book Writing Musical Theater that my co-author Allen Cohen and I
are considered experts in musical theater. And I also know that as such
there is an expectation to see Broadway, off-Broadway, and off-off-Broadway
shows with cynical eyes and ears. But sometimes I just want to be audience,
and just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show without thinking about it
to any great depth. I can always to do the deep thinking later . . .
Clay
Aiken: Yeah, the guy from American Idol, playing Sir Robin, Guard
1, and Brother Maynard. Surprisingly good. "
2/02/08 Cleveland
Plains dealer POP TEN: Naked narcissists,
Clinton & Cruise '08 and all the Clay Aiken
you can take lead this week's top pops Quote: 9. CLAY AIKEN'S BLOG Every Monday, the ginger-haired
elf currently starring as Sir Robin on Broadway in "Spamalot" answers fan
queries. An entry from Jan. 21: Q: "What's the craziest thing you've done
to get a laugh out of your friends?" A: "I don't know that I really have
done anything intentionally. I think they laugh at me when I don't necessarily
invite it!" Pop 10 has a question: "Clay,
we've heard you're in talks to star in a revival of 'Dreamgirls." Any truth
to that rumor?" Experience the wit and wisdom of the Clayster at www.montypythonsspamalot.com."
1/30/08 Star
telegram "BRAVE SIR CLAY In Spamalot, Clay Aiken
is a knight of the Round Table, he dances when e'er he's able, he does
routines and chorus scenes with footwork impecc-able!"
1/30/08 Posted:
Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:47 message boardt:
"I
just heard Imus was praising Clay in Spamalot on his show this morning!
Has this been discussed up-thread? I was so shocked to hear he went on
and on about what a great guy, great personaility, etc., BF is! Are pigs
flying?"
"I
didn't hear it myself but a co-worker came into my classroom today and
told me that Imus was talking about Clay this morning. She didn't tell
me what Imus specifically said, but she said that someone else on air with
him said that he had seen Clay in Spamalot and said he was fantastic! "
"Regarding
Imus - he said he had gone to the play, he had heard of Clay and was aware
of who he is, and that he was completely charmed by the guy, and thought
he was a wonderful, entertaining performer. The other people on his show
agreed! This was boardcasts on New York radio WFAN! "
- "They scare me every
once in a while. We had a lady throw her panties in the middle of 'Silent
Night.'- Pop singer Clay Aiken on his rabid
fans, IN TOUCH.
Broadway
Ticket Sales Begin to Warm Up "Certainly, after last
week’s cold chill, it is nice to report an increase in attendance and ticket
sales on the Great White Way, though still meager, for the week ended Jan.
20. The box office tally was $16,271,060 compared to the previous week’s
returns of $15,474,354. That’s not including returns, still unreported
officially, for Young Frankenstein, which Variety estimates to have dipped
to $1.26 million. This week’s returns are still better than the same week
last season of $14,777,463. Top rung productions offer no surprises: Wicked,
Jersey Boys, and The Lion King. These three and The Little Mermaid were
the only productions to garner an attendance rate of 90 percent or better.
"
Other productions seeing
a welcome increase in sales were: Xanadu, The Homecoming, The Color Purple,
The 25th Putnam County Spelling Bee, Rent, and Legally Blonde.
<snip>
And now for something
completely different. Clay Aiken, known to
millions as an “American Idol” contestant in its second season and now
a recording star, debuted in his first Broadway role as Sir Robin in the
Tony Award winning musical Spamalot at the Shubert Theatre on Jan. 18.
He will continue in the role through May 4. It appears to have been a boost
to recent ticket sales.
1/23/08 American
Express Broadway Exclusives "THIS MONTH'S OFFER Monty Python's Spamalot
- Musical, Comedy Get some of the very
best seats in the house for Spamalot and save with this exclusive offer! Use any American Express
Card to purchase tickets for Monty Python's hilarious, Tony-winning musical,
and you'll get some of the best seats in the house for less. Save $25*
off regular Premium Seating for one of Broadway's hottest tickets! Want
more incentive? Well, starting in January, American Idol star and acclaimed
recording artist Clay Aiken joins the cast!
These seats rarely go on sale, so hurry and get yours now!
Winner of the 2005 Tony,
Outer Critics and Drama Desk Awards for Best Musical, Monty Python's Spamalot
is one of Broadway's most hilarious hit comedies. The blockbuster show,
written by Eric Idle and John Du Prez and directed by Tony winner Mike
Nichols, tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the
Round Table and their quest for the Holy Grail."
1/22/08 Variety.com Spamalot' surges in post-holiday
upswing "After a rough post-holiday
frame that saw receipts plummet, Broadway sales got a welcome uptick last
week. Grosses rose by about $700,000 to an estimated $17.5 million for
31 shows on the boards -- a tally that also compares favorably with the
$14.7 million for 28 shows reported over the same week last year. One of the largest week-to-week
gains was seen by "Monty Python's Spamalot" ($797,390), which looks to
have benefited from the debut Jan. 18 of "American Idol" alumClay
Aiken. Both "Spamalot" and "Legally Blonde" ($668,409), seemingly
correcting a bit after steep dips the prior sesh, rose by $138,000 each."
1/20/08 "Spamalot merchandise
is done by some company named Max Merchandise. Keep your eyes peeled for
a tee shirt that may say "Aiken for Sir Robin" in the coming weeks. I was
chatting w/ the merchandise seller about why & when the new merchandise
will arrive, which he had no real answer, but did say something is in production
due to the new casting w/ Clay. The tees will go for about $25.00. It should
also show up on the Monty Python website. " ~message board
1/17/08 ABC
Network press release about next week on The View CLAY
AIKEN, COLIN POWELL AND THE MOLDY PEACHES
ARE AMONG THE GUESTS, LIVE, ON "THE VIEW," JANUARY 21-25
Debbi Morgan,
Darnell Williams and Rebecca Budig of "All My Children," Jan. 24 "All My Children" stars
Debbi Morgan, Darnell Williams and Rebecca Budig, Colin Powell, Clay Aiken
(Broadway's "Spamalot"), Julie Benz ("Rambo"), Tom Brokaw (author, "Boom")
and Joan Lunden are among "The View" guests, live, JANUARY 21-25 (11:00
a.m.-12:00 noon, ET) on the ABC Television Network.
Scheduled guests for the
week of Jan. 21-25 are as follows (subject to change):
MONDAY, JAN. 21 - Colin
Powell, musical guest The Moldy Peaches.
TUESDAY, JAN. 22 - Clay
Aiken (Broadway's "Spamalot"); Julie Benz ("Rambo"); stars of "The
Real Hustle."
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 23 - Tom
Brokaw (author, "Boom").
THURSDAY, JAN. 24 - Joan
Lunden; Debbi Morgan, Darnell Williams and Rebecca Budig (ABC's "All My
Children").
FRIDAY, JAN. 25 - Special
Edition: 'The View': Dieting -- weight loss surgery, post-partum weight
loss and new diets are among the topics to be discussed.
"I was disappointed with
USA TODAY's recent review of the newest season of American Idol (" 'American
Idol' tries to get its groove back in upcoming seventh season," Cover story,
News, Friday).
USA TODAY quoted a ridiculous
comment by Phil Gallo, music editor of Variety, who thinks singers like
Clay
Aiken are quirky. "Quirky" would hardly describe the magnificent
talent of Aiken, who has impressive vocal
range, style, personality and stage presence.
It was runner-up Aiken
who carried that second season of Idol and gave it huge ratings. People
were amazed by Aiken'sgrowth as a singer as
the season went on. In my mind, Aiken is the
standard by which all the rest are judged."
1/16/08 Broadwayworld.com Coming
Up This Week in Theatre - 1/16/2008 "Clay Aiken Joins Spamalot
- 1/18/2008 Clay Aiken, who became
a music superstar following his success on the "American Idol" television
series, will join the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Monty Python's Spamalot,
making his Broadway debut in the role of Sir Robin, at the Shubert Theatre,
New York, from January 18 to May 4, 2008. "
1/15/08 Before
Simon scowls, read this advice "There are usually two
types of singers who appear on the first episodes of "American Idol," the
hugely popular Fox TV show that begins its seventh season tonight.
The serious vocalists
ace their auditions, go on to future episodes and win over fans. Their
names fill a million iPods: Clay Aiken, Carrie
Underwood, Daughtry."
1/14/08 RON and FEZ DJS on XM
Radio: "Fez mentioned that the
reporter in Newsweek asked Clay about the
plane incident and the Ripa thing and that he refused to comment. Ron jumped
in and said that all of that stuff is old news and there should be a time
limit on asking about stuff like that. He said something like, "That's
like asking someone, 'you remember five years ago when you got completely
wasted and sh*t yourself.'" Heh. (Basically, old news, who cares?)
Fez said something about
how the reporter didn't want to ask about his broadway gig and instead
wanted to just talk about all this old stuff. Then he said, "It's like
he was poking Clay Aiken with a stick trying to get him to react and walk
out." ~From a message board
1/13/08 As
another season of ‘American Idol’ begins, we check out where past stars
are now "The wildly successful
Clay
Aiken, who ultimately finished in second place behind Ruben Studdard
in Season 2, was cut early, and then brought back for the wild card round.
Since his time on Idol, he has released four albums, has gone on twice
as many tours, and has seen remarkable commercial success. "
"Most everyone has probably
forgotten that Aiken was the runner-up on
season two, because he's the success story of that season for sure, with
monster album, tour and book sales.
Aiken
hasn't been in the spotlight much lately (aside from a reported tiff with
a cranky traveler aboard a Tulsabound flight in 2007), but we'd never leave
him off this list -because frankly, we fear the wrath of the Claymates,
his legion of devoted fans.
He's headed to Broadway
this month to join the cast of "Monty Python's Spamalot."
1/11/08 NY
daily News "The BMG group still
counts eight "AI" contenders on its roster, including Carrie Underwood
and Chris Daughtry (both of whom delivered top 10 albums in 2007), Blake
Lewis (with one album), Fantasia (with three), Jordin Sparks (working on
her second), and Clay Aiken and Kelly Clarkson
(both working on their fourth albums). "
1/11/08 You
be the arbiter of fabulousness [RE:
American Ido] "It
doesn't count as a global crisis, but the ranks of the world's supermodels
are depleted. Kate Moss is aging, and Gisele Bundchen draws more attention
for whom she's dating than whom she's wearing." Today's Twiggy-in-the-making,
Agyness Deyn, is a quirky platinum pixie, more adorable than memorable.
Luckily, models are a renewable resource, and Bravo's new show, Make Me
a Supermodel, is asking novices to fill the void."
<snip> "And an air of confidence
consistently adds something greater than the sum of the body parts. In
all reality contests there will be hammy flourishes that make viewers snicker,
like the pouty "model mouth" mocked by Ben Stiller in Zoolander and Lisa
Kudrow in The Comeback. On the nicer side, there's always a chance for
a chrysalis moment, a Clay Aiken-esque transformation.
1/10/08 "Broadwayworld.com
has extensive coverage with numerous photographs, of last night's debut
of Zonya Love, Chaka Khan and BeBe Winans in their roles as Celie, Sofia
and Harpo in "The Color Purple." There are curtain call photos of them
and other cast members included.
The debuts are treated
as a new premiere of sorts, with producer Oprah Winfrey in attendance,
as well as celebrities like director Jonathan Demme, singer Patti Labelle,
playwright Marsha Norman, and singers Ashford and Simpson. Lakisha Jones
also rates a mention and several photographs (she'll play Sofia for the
matinees and Church Soloist in the evenings.)
To the point: the "Spamalot"
people have treated Clay's casting as The Next Big
Thing all along. The theatre sites have covered Clay
before, going back to his appearance in Heather Headley's "Home" benefit
for BC/EFA. There are also cast changes and photos for "Spamalot" through
its many iterations.
Based on this, I would
expect Broadwayworld and the other theatre sites to give equivalent coverage
to Clay's debut next week. Not only will that
be an excellent outreach to theatre lovers, but it will be at least one
way to see Clay in costume. " ~berkeley
1/09/08 'American
Idol' in need of a makeover "It’s that time of year
again. The new season of the hit Fox reality show “American Idol” is set
to debut Jan. 15. The reality powerhouse
that spawned the careers of contestants like Kelly Clarkson, Chris Daughtry,
Clay
Aiken and Carrie Underwood will begin its seventh season of the
popular search for the next best thing in pop music. Is it just me, or does
anyone else believe they need to give up “Idol?” Just by looking at the
success stories, talents like Clarkson, Underwood and Fantasia Barrino
have mainly seen stardom because of their gifted voices. The show always
produces the winner’s first single and it’s always some sappy, dull song
that no one likes. Am I the only one that’s
ready for a change? It became taboo that
contestants like Clay Aiken and Chris Daughtry didn’t even need to win
to gain fan following and record deals — while winners like Ruben Studdard
and Taylor Hicks grappled to find that hit song. Ironically, both are no
longer on J Records, the label that usually houses the new Idol winners. I believe in the talent
that is produced, but I am not looking forward to the mushy karaoke, Paula
flirting with the young male contestants, Simon’s tight, nipple-hugging
shirts and Randy saying ‘dog’ after every sentence. I am hoping after this
year they get the hint. The show needs to do something different. I don’t
think it will be displayed in the ratings, but I know others feel the same
way."
1/06/08 "X
Factor's Leon Jackson and Rhydian Roberts are shaping up to be the
UK's answer to American Idol's Ruben Studdard and
Clay Aiken. Likable winner with above-average talent beats campy
vocal virtuoso but loses when it really matters - at the cash register.
(Studdard may provide a cautionary tale for Jackson: he was recently dropped
by his label.) Leon may have the current UK No. 1, but Rhydian is the man
people are talking about. "
1/06/08 http://www.poolparty.com/poolparty/2008/01/taylor-hicks-dr.html "Taylor Hicks, winner
of season five of "American Idol" has been dropped by his record label
according to a report by "Entertainment Weekly." Word of Taylor's departure
from J Records comes just weeks after Ruben Studdard--another "American
Idol" winner--was also released from his contract with J Records. The value
of winning "Idol" is increasingly a prize uncertain, with runners-up like
Jennifer Hudson (Oscar Winner), Clay Aiken
(RCA Top Selling Artist 2003) and Chris Daughtry (best-selling album of
2007) getting the true prize. "
1/06/08 An eventful year News
& Observer - Raleigh,NC,USA "18 For years people
said Clay Aiken belongs on Broadway, and now
he arrives. The Raleigh singer joins the cast of "Monty Python's Spamalot"
as Sir Robin."
"The chef at Mancini's
on Las Olas Boulevard is used to people doing double takes when they see
him. A lot of diners recognize Ralph Pagano, but some can't immediately
recall from where.
It could be from Hell's
Kitchen. Pagano was the runner-up in the Fox series' first season. "I was
the crowd favorite, the Clay Aiken of Hell's
Kitchen," Pagano said. "I lost by one point. My mother says I won."
1/04/08 Happy
Birthday Clay Aiken "On November 30, hundreds
of Clay Aiken fans flooded Miller Auditorium
to hear him perform with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra in a Christmas
Concert. In honor of his 29th birthday, which was that day,
Clay's fans from all over the United States and Canda brought children's
books to give to Kalamazoo Communities In Schools to support our literacy
efforts in the schools. In addition to bringing the books, some fans stayed
after the performance to help staff transport the books back to KCIS. Books
were also mailed to KCIS from Conneticut, Indiana, Maryland, North Carolina,
Texas, Virginia, and Ontario, Canada! The grand total? 1,220 books and
$650 in gift cards to various bookstores! KCIS is incredibly grateful for
this thoughtful tribute to singer Clay Aiken
from his fans. We would especially like to thank organizer, Karen Bellows,
for her great idea and hard work.:
12/27/07 Echos
Across Time "We
had a nice Christmas at my sister-in-law’s house. Just the five of us listening
to some CDs and talking away. Then after our dinner we all went to bed
early. On the way to her house, I heard a song on the car radio that captivated
me? Mary Did You Know? It was a haunting rendition of a song that has been
done many times since it was written in 1984. This voice was dark and mysterious,
something like Alison Moyet in her prime. I searched through different
versions of the song and discovered it was actually sung by a man called
Clay
Aiken. What a haunting voice and a delight
to listen to! He was a finalist on American Idol in 2003. As I don’t watch
these TV shows, I really missed out on something there."
"Holiday Celebration on
Ice: Sasha Cohen and Todd Eldredge host this holiday-themed skating exhibition,
but it's guest Clay Aiken, not the skaters, who is likely to draw viewers."
12/25/07 Nshima
& Curry "I do read you regularly,
and today I read that funny column about regifting and in it you mentioned
Clay
Aiken. My question is - why him of all people? He has got around
in the past year or so, but it's not like he's famous. Why didn't you mention,
for instance, Brad Pitt, who stares at me from the tabloids every time
I'm in a 12 hour lineup at the grocery store. Why not George Clooney who's
supposed to be one of the world's best looking people ( after my husband,
of course, if you overlook the paunch and that funny bald patch over his
left ear ). I mean, if I were in the darkest jungles of Africa and mentioned
Brad, for sure some woman would proudly display a life size poster of him
tacked to a nearby tree in her compound. But if I walked across the street
right here in cosmopolitan Vancouver, BC, a ' happening ' city, and saidClay
Aiken, I'd get a blank look as if I were speaking Swahili.
Yes. I'm one of them -
a claymate. But not one of the vocal in - your - face variety. I've quietly
followed his rise from the ranks since the beginning. At first there were
only ' us ' to keep his name up there, but I've noticed in the past year
or so, the columnists have started helping. But I don't understand why,
or how this happened. You are now in that category of columnists who's
using his name to make a statement, and I chose you to ask the question.
( sorry, you just happened to be standing there ) So, why him? He's not
famous in the way others are. I'm just trying to figure out what's happened,
what's in the air, why all of a sudden?
Maybe his team is paying
off all you columnists ( or threatening to give you tickets to his shows
if you don't mention Clay? ) Whatever. I just
don't get it, and I wondered if you had an answer for me. Such as what
possessed you to use his name. Listen - I'm getting on in years. I may
soon be gone, and it would drive me nuts to not understand this one before
it's too late.
Posted by: Hope | December
24, 2007 at 10:54 AM
***
"I’m sure you really do
have a Clay Aiken poster on your wall. Good
for you. He’s gorgeous. Why are you afraid to admit he’s a great artist—and
a great-looking man?" (submitted by email)
Posted by: Pamela |
December 24, 2007 at 10:58 AM
***
"Hope, you really think
Clay isn't famous? There are degrees of fame of course, but he's
right up there with Oprah's poodle. I used Clay in
my column because his name popped into my head and I thought it would work
in that line. I had thought of using Fabio first (because of his long hair)
but he's not as well-known as he used to be. I happen to likeClay,
by the way.
Pamela,Clay
Aiken is a great artist and a great-looking man. There, I said it." Posted by: Melvin
| December 24, 2007 at 11:17 AM
***
"Melvin: this truly is
a season of miracles. I'm glad you said it-- and I know you meant it. You're
a wise, funny man!"
"AMERICAN IDOLS ON BROADWAY Broadway also continues
to be flooded by contestants from that original singing reality show, "American
Idol." And not just the contestants Simon Cowell thinks are "too Broadway."
This year the Rialto got its very first "Idol" winner, Fantasia Barrino,
who won raves for her performance as Celie — the role created by Tony winner
La Chanze — in The Color Purple at the Broadway Theatre. In addition, her
"Idol" competitor Latoya London joined The Color Purple tour, Tamyra Gray
starred in Rent and Anthony Fedorov and Constantine Maroulis starred Off-Broadway
in, respectively, The Fantasticks and Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and
Living in Paris. To top it off, one of the most successful "Idol" finalists,
Clay Aiken, is making his Broadway debut in Spamalot beginning in
January. Director Mike Nichols calls him "an excellent comic actor and
a master of character." Let's hope he's right."
12/21/07 Talking
Tunes With Brad Spirrison "For those of you who
can’t wait for the return of “American Idol” in 2008, your Christmas blessing
has arrived in the form of Clay Aiken. The cheeky pseudo-star and recent
appointee to the Bush administration’s U.S. Department of Health &
Human Services arrives on Saturday night in Merrillville, Ind. to perform
at the Star Plaza Theater.
For all you buttercups
out there, don’t let the sun go down on this one."
N B C HOLIDAY SKATING SPECIALS
CONTINUE THIS WEEKEND ON NBC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
"U.S. Skating Stars Boitano,
Eldredge and Cohen Headline Four Skating Spectaculars
Weekend Winter Programming
Rounded Out With Snowboarding and Curling From 30 Rock
NEW YORK- December 20,
2007- NBC Sports presents taped coverage of four holiday skating specials
Saturday, Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day featuring skating superstars
Brian Boitano, Todd Eldredge and Sasha Cohen."
<snip>
Christmas Day, December
25 at 3 p.m. in all time zones NBC Sports presents the Capital One Holiday
Celebration on Ice from The Orleans in Las Vegas, Nev. with music provided
by Clay Aiken. Olympic silver medalist Sasha
Cohen
along with World Champion Todd Eldredge headline this holiday special.
The impressive cast of skaters also includes 1994 World champion Yuka Sato,
two-time U.S. Pro Am Champion and World Professional bronze medalist Caryn
Kadavy and eight-time British Champion Steven Cousins. Brian Boitano and
Tracy Wilson provide commentary.
12/20/07 Sales
numbers from USA TODAY'S Ken Barnes:
"Clay
has the biggest seller among them; Merry Christmas With Love picks up 7,500
new customers (I assume they're new, not repeat buyers), down from 8,000
the previous week, for a total of 1.4 million. The All Is Well EP sold
700, down from 1,000, for a total of 52,000. A Thousand Different Ways
sold 500, up from 300, to hit 521,000."
12/17/07 Holiday
Harmonies: Classic Christmas tunes are as popular as ever ST.
LOUIS — On Sept. 10, the Chicago Cubs clobbered the Cardinals, the temperature
reached 88 degrees and the Gateway Men's Chorus started rehearsals for
"Holiday Homecoming," its annual Christmas show. So, three months later,
does "Deck the Halls" make chorus president Kevin Johnson want to deck
someone?
"You
would think, but no. I just love Christmas music," said Johnson, who owns
50 Christmas albums and has loaded his iPod with Josh Grobin and Clay
Aiken holiday hits. "It takes me back to being
a kid, opening presents and being with family. The memories and the music
are wrapped up together."
12/13/07 The
Big Gigs: Shows and highlights of the upcoming entertainment week: "For each of his four
holiday tours, Clay Aiken, "American Idol's"
most successful runner-up, has come up with a special wrinkle. This year,
he invited fans to write letters about their Christmas celebrations, and
four have been chosen to read their words as the Minnesota Orchestra plays
behind them. Read an interview with him in Sunday's Arts section. (7:30
p.m. Wed.-Thu., Orchestra Hall, $35-$77.) (J.B.)"
12/13/07 From the Easton concert: "We were sitting front
row center,with two rows of seats reserved for big $$$$ sponsors in front
of us. They were all clearly enjoying the show. Afterward I spoke briefly
with the head bigshot (I have no idea who he was,but he was important enough
to be asked to stand up and take a bow from the stage before the show).
He had also seen Clay when he performed there
last December.
His main comment
to me was a very heartfelt...."That voice....that voice! How does he do
it?"
12/12/07 "I wish every DJ was
like my favorite from Lancaster, PA. Yesterday he was taking requests and
said he had one for "the beautiful All Is Well" by Clay
Aiken. Then he said someone eMailed him that AIW was a Wal-Mart
exclusive last year, but that now it's available to download at I-Tunes...what
a great plug from a great guy!"
Yeah, I think he's great.
They don't do it anymore but they did because he kind of looked like a
young me. He's better looking. He hasn't got the nose that I struggled
with. He's got a much better voice than I do."
"AND THE AWARD FOR BEING
THE HOTTEST THING ON THE INTERNET GOES TO ... Clay Aiken. Yes, no matter
how many folks are out there feverishly chasing down tidbits about Britney
Spears' underpants, she has not been the most-searched-for term on Lycos,
the search engine announced Monday.
That distinction goes
to "American Idol" runner-up Aiken. Late rapper Tupac Shakur came in second
and Spears was third."
12/10/07 http://www.hitsearchlimited.com/news/999200/ "Clay
Aiken continues to be the leading man online with web users, taking
the top spot as the most-searched man of 2007 for the second year in a
row."
"Another day, another
year-end list. This one comes from search engine Lycos, which says Britney
Spears was its third most-searched term in 2007, and was the No. 1 most-searched
woman on the site. Dubious as the honor might be, even more fascinating
is that former “American Idol” winner Clay Aiken
was the engine’s most-searched man in 2007. Aiken topped the likes of the
late Tupac Shakur (No. 2) and pretty boy Zac Efron (No. 7). "
12/10/07 Tops
on Lycos: Paris and poker "Top five men: Clay
Aiken, Tupac Shakur, Nelly, Akon and 50 Cent. Our man, Detroit rapper
Eminem, was No. 8."
12/08/07 RED BANK Count Basie
Theater “Clay Aiken Symphonic Christmas 2007.”
Tuesday at 8 p.m. $38.50 to $125.
12/08/07 From a message board: "A person who works at
the Shubert heater is quoted as saying that the theatre has been
swamped with calls and people coming to the box office since Clay's
appearance was announced. He told a fan where he would be working on the
night she is to see Clay (he is working inside
the theatre that night), and he told her to come find him when she got
to the theatre. He also told her that Clay
came in quietly to watch a performance (no prior announcement that he would
be there), and talked about what a nice person
he is. He said he was shocked at Clay's height - he had always thought
that Clay was a short person."
"I got a card from..Jimmy
Carter this afternoon..Christmas card..we are friends... he wanted to thanks
all of us for our support for Unicef...he knows our love and admirmation
for Clay and wanted to thank us for our support
for Uganda and the kids. he told me that Clay is doing more behind the
radar than we know..and that Unicef loved him like we do and he is doing
great things --well a part of that
was the card the rest was a phone conversation"
and
"I just did not want to
get into the politcal thing.. but I can tell you that both parties love
Clay..he is the real deaI... I actually had a phone converstation
this afternoon with Rosse and Jimmy..my GOD they truly love Clay..
Unicef beyond words supports and encourges him to do more. and he will."
12/06/07 Dreidel,
Dreidel, Dreidel, I Made It Out of Clay Aiken "For Philadelphia's Bob
Horowitz, bees wax lyrical every week; but then, every week is a chai-light
and a menorah mint for him since "The Singing Bee" is singing high notes
and higher ratings for its network, NBC." "Maybe I'll get a Chanukah
song in" when the show returns."
"Just don't expect, "Dreidel,
Dreidel, Dreidel, I Made It Out of Clay Aiken."
Truth be told, Horowitz
is a big fan of "American Idol": "I attended a show, and it's amazing.
The format is so wonderfully simple."
12/06/07 From a Meet & Greet
recap by "Clayskater" Who asked abut his next album and
what one word does he envision would describe the album? : "He [Clay]
said that he just wants good songs and that they do not think it through
as much as we [the fans] do. He said he is still listening to new songs
and if he finds 2 out of a hundred that he likes, he feels good. He admitted
that he hasn't recorded any yet and plans to do it in January and February.
He still hopes to get it out in the first half of the year, but reminded
me that not one of his albums has come out on time yet. Then he said,,,OK..thats
the word....."can we say on-time??"
"My second question was
about the "glory notes". I asked if it bothered him that the audience goes
"bonkers" the second he hits the note and would he prefer us to wait until
the song is over. He said that he is so unaware of the audience and what
is going on that it doesn't bother him at all...to do what we want."
12/01/07 Our
picks for weekend ideas that can't miss "CLAY AIKEN // The American
Idol winner will perform a holiday concert with the Concert Artists of
Baltimore at 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. N.W.,
Washington. Tickets are $57-$127. Go to ticketmaster.com or call 410-547-7328"
11/28/07 From Ken Barnes: "Another major beneficiary
of the holiday season was Clay, at least for
Merry Christmas With Love, which jumped from 3,000 to 5,000 this week and
has sold 1.3 million. Otherwise, A Thousand Different Ways sold 300, up
from 200, to total 520,000, and Measure of a Man sold 100 and is just a
bit below 2.8 million total."
Go
here- click on
